The Board of Directors | “When tillage begins, other arts follow. The farmers therefore, are the founders of human civilization.” ~Daniel Webster |
![]() CHEATHAM-OWENS | Amber is an Arizona native who was raised in Palo Verde, a farming community on the outskirts of Buckeye, AZ. She has deep roots in Arizona’s Agricultural History and continues to carry on her passion for Arizona Agriculture. Amber grew up raising and showing livestock in 4-H and FFA. She graduated from the University of Arizona, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Amber and her husband, Marty, have their hands full with 3 boys who are eager to follow their parents’ footsteps driving tractors, riding horses and showing livestock. Amber and her husband, Marty, together own The Pharm’n Company, Rustique Acres, and Rustique Rentals. Amber has dedicated many years volunteering at the Maricopa County Fair, beginning as Co-Superintendent of the swine barn in 2003. Additionally, she sits on the board of the Maricopa County Farm Bureau and is the Maricopa County Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Chair. She is also currently serving as the Arizona Farm and Ranch Experience Board President. |
| Margaret Bartol is a native Arizonan who was raised in Litchfield Park, AZ. She is the granddaughter of Kenneth B. McMicken, first General Manager of Goodyear Farms and HOF Honoree in 2012. She graduated from Arizona State University and Oregan State University with an MS in Counseling. She was Director of Hospital Social Work and Manager of Air Life Medical Helicopter program at St Charles Medical Center in Bend, Oregon. Margaret and her husband, Tom now own TWB Race Horse Training at their farm in Humboldt, Arizona. Margaret is Secretary of AZFARE, a past President and life time member of Litchfield Park Historical Society, a member of Arizona National Livestock Show and Arizona Farm Bureau. Margaret serves as Arizona Farm and Ranch Experience Secretary. |
| James is part of a multigenerational Arizona family whose roots in citrus production began in Mesa in the mid 1930s and continues with citrus production today on the family farm in Waddell/Surprise. Raised on a citrus and dairy operation in Waddell, he has been involved with agriculture his entire life. Since securing a B.S. in Animal Husbandry from Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, California, James has enjoyed a career with various management positions in Dairying, Beef Ranching, diversified Row-Crop Farming and Citrus Farming in Hawaii and Arizona. James retired as Farm Manager at the University of Arizona Citrus Agricultural Center at Waddell, currently sits on the Arizona Citrus Council and is a long-time member of Arizona Farm Bureau. James serves as Arizona Farm and Rach Experience Treasurer. |